<p>Hi
I just auditioned for the MT program at Syracuse. I was wondering if anyone could help me “decode” a few things. I heard a couple students (who seemed pretty talented) say that the faculty asked them why they wanted to go to Syracuse during the sining/monologue part of their audition. Other students said they auditors simply said “Thank you” and others said they asked if the student had any questions and said they were free to go. Does this mean anything significant?</p>
<p>I didnt get asked why I was choosing to major in MT or liked Syracuse. I was stopped halfway through my monologue and asked to do an acting exercise during the rest of it. But then the they just asked me if I had any questions and told me I was free to go. Does this have any significant bearing? Do they usually only asked questions to students they think they are considering?</p>
<p>I don’t think my daughter was asked any questions like that, and she was accepted to the program. The fact that that they asked you to do an acting exercise is not necessarily a negative thing – they probably wanted to see how you would respond to coaching. Don’t make the mistake of reading too much into their questions or lack of them. You can’t possibly second-guess what they had in mind. My D was accepted at some of the schools where they had very little to say, and rejected at some where they were very pleasant and complimentary.
This is the hardest part of the whole audition process, I think – just waiting for results. I hope you have auditioned at a good mix of schools, with some safeties on your list. That way, no matter what happens, you’ll have something exciting to look forward to next year.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help. I try not to, but have been over analyzing every last bit and detail of the audition. I know that doing that only does more harm than good though. All that is left to do now is wait I guess!
I have applied to a couple schools that have a good theater rep and do not require an audition to get in, like muhlenberg, northwestern and skidmore, just in case. Thanks again for your help!</p>
<p>It is very common but wholly non-productive to over think and try to analyze the reactions of auditors at auditions. You can never really determine what the auditors are thinking or why they may be interactive with one student and not with another. Some students are interrupted and asked to make adjustments while others complete their audition with little or no comments. Some are asked to do additional audition pieces and others aren’t. It is a mistake to take anything at an audition as a “signal” or cue as to what the outcome will be. The only thing you can constructively do is think about your own performance. Did you present yourself and perform your pieces to the best of your ability and if not, can you identify what interfered with you doing so and make self adjustments and corrections for the future. Do you feel that you were “comfortable in your own skin” and provided an opportunity for the auditors to see you as the individual you are.</p>
<p>Since you raised this in the context of Syracuse, I’ll share my daughter’s audition experience there (a story I’ve told elsewhere on this Board but worth repeating here). During my daughter’s audition, the auditors sat silently, no interaction. During her ballad, “By the River” by Maury Yestin, an emotionally charged piece, one auditor leaned over to the other and audibly said “She doesn’t have it.” My daughter at first felt crushed and thought that was the end of Syracuse for her. And was then accepted with a large scholarship. In retrospect, who knows what the intent or meaning was of the comment - or if it even had anything to do with my daughter.</p>
<p>While it’s easy to say but tough to do, just do your best at each audition and when you walk out of the room, move on to the next one.</p>
<p>My D was sick at her audition and luckily the auditor asked her if she was sick. I guess you cannot let them know you are. My D was waitlisted and then accepted in to the program so don’t over analyze it.</p>
<p>thank you all so much for all of you helpful comments and advice. i really do appreciate it! i’ll post back in feb and let you know the outcome :)</p>